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Mattingly won't miss having to contend with Helton

Mattingly won't miss having to contend with Helton

Todd Helton acknowledges the love and support he's received from Rockies fans, and says he looks forward to the next chapter in his life

By Thomas Harding
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MLB.com |

LOS ANGELES -- Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said he will not miss having his pitchers face Rockies first baseman Todd Helton, whose 17-season career will end when the teams meet Sunday in the regular-season finale.

"He's been a great player," said Mattingly, whose swing was one Helton's was compared to early in his career. "Facing him from this side is not fun because he's a tough out. It seems like the bigger the situation, the better Todd is. We wish him a lot of success. I know he's meant a lot to that franchise."

It's doubtful, but Rockies manager Walt Weiss thought about it when asked if Helton would make an appearance on the mound Sunday. It's not far-fetched, being that there is talk of Yankees relief great Mariano Rivera playing some center field in his final game.

Helton served as the closer at the University of Tennessee.

For what it's worth, there has been buzz on Twitter.

"I guess I need to get on Twitter, huh?" Weiss said, with a chuckle. "I haven't had any conversations about it.

"Todd mentioned something about it in the spring in a joking-type manner, but we haven't had any conversations since then."